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Great Falls Connection ❖ March 16-22, 2016 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com online at www.connectionnewspapers.com

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Langley’s Paige Galiani, right, goesup for a shot against Cosby’s TyraWhitehead in the 6A state final onMarch 9 at VCU. Langley lost, 42-37.

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2 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ March 16-22, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Great Falls Connection ❖ March 16-22, 2016 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsGreat Falls Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

By Marissa Beale

The Connection

The 10th annual Fairfax CountySpelling Bee, sponsored by theFairfax County Council of PTAs(FCCPTA) and the Fairfax

County Federation of Teachers, took placeon Sunday, March 13, at Lanier MiddleSchool. Students from first grade to eighthgrade, representing more than 60 elemen-tary and middle schools from around theCounty, competed to represent the regionat Scripps’ National Spelling Bee, which willbe held in May at National Harbor in Wash-ington, D.C.

The first word of the competition wentto first grader Xiwen Yao, from Oak HillElementary School in Herndon, who cor-rectly spelled “bandit.” The words becameharder as the rounds progressed, and spell-ers were challenged with words from Latin,Greek, French, German, Swahili, Japaneseand many other languages.

“I prepared by studying root words foreach language,” said Kunal Sharma, aneighth-grade student at Kilmer MiddleSchool who came in second place at theregional spelling bee on Sunday. “My momknows English and French, and she helpedme a lot,” he said.

AFTER 11 ROUNDS of competitive play,fourth grade student Eric Kim, fromWakefield Forest Elementary School, wasdeclared the champion for correctly spell-ing every word thrown at him. His winningword was “diffidence.” In addition to beingable to compete nationally, Kim also re-ceived a one year’s supply of pizza fromPapa John’s, Webster’s Third New Interna-tional Dictionary and a one week’s stay atthe Gaylord Resort and Hotel at NationalHarbor with one family member, during Bee

Week. To prepare, Kim studied for hours aday, and it paid off.

“He stopped wanting to practice,”laughed his father. A dedicated student, Kimcompeted in an Odyssey of the Mind com-petition the day before winning the regionalspelling bee.

“For those who are successful in the com-petition it becomes a second job. It’s a mat-ter of skill, but it’s also a matter of luck,”said Eliza Morss, the FCCPTA coordinatorfor the spelling bee.

In this elimination game, students studythousands of words to prepare. Scripps ex-clusively uses Webster’s Third New Inter-

national Dictionary, which contains 472,000words, and any of those words are fair gameon competition day. Spelling bees at theschool level are run by volunteers who ro-tate out with greater frequency at themiddle school level than do volunteers atthe elementary school level, but the goal isfor the competition to continue expanding.

“I had a grandparent say they would liketo watch [the regional competition] on tele-vision,” said Morss. “And I thought, why not.Next year it will definitely be televised,” shesaid.

AT THE NATIONAL SPELLING BEE,

which is televised each year, one of the firstthings students will take is a multiplechoice vocabulary test. The grade on thattest will determine whether the studentprogresses to the next level of competitionwhere they will spell before a judgingpanel.

“At the oral round there were a lot of suc-cessful kids. They then cut off a certaingroup again based on your grade on thetest,” said Morss. “That’s how they makethe show entertaining and suspenseful.”

Kim will join spelling champions fromaround the country and compete during BeeWeek on May 22-27.

Wakefield Forest Elementary School studentto compete at Scripps’ National Spelling Bee.And the Winner Is ...

Fairfax County Spelling Bee winner and Wakefield Forest Elementaryfourth-grader Eric Kim easily spelled his first word “denim” at theFairfax County Spelling Bee held at Lanier Middle School on Sunday,March 13. His winning word was “diffidence.”

Debbie Kilpatrick, president of the Fairfax County Council of PTAs,thanks sponsors of the 10th Fairfax County Spelling Bee. Behind her arethe 62 participants of the Bee.

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Maggie Worden, a seventh-grader at Cooper MiddleSchool, spells the word “succotash” during secondround of the Fairfax County Spelling Bee held atLanier Middle School on Sunday, March 13.

Oak Hill Elementary first-grader Xiwen Yao wasthe Fairfax County Spelling Bee’s first spellerwith the word “bandit.” Her father helped herstudy for the contest.


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News

By Steve Hibbard

The Connection

Eleven teams of middleand high school stu-dents competed in thefourth annual Real Food

for Kids’ Culinary Challenge onSaturday, March 12 at RobinsonSecondary School. Students fromsix middle schools, four culinaryacademies, and one high schoolcompeted by preparing the mostnutritious and delicious schoolsnacks, breakfast and lunch menuitems.

The event included six expert-led workshops on food writing,promotion and photography, fam-ily meal planning and school gar-dening. There was also a break-fast discussion that addressed thefuture of school food by RodneyTaylor, the new Food and NutritionServices director (FNS) in FairfaxCounty and a pioneer in the farm-to-school movement, andLoudoun County’s FNS director Dr.Becky Bays, who also served asjudges.

It also included celebrity judgesMarjorie Meek Bradley, a Top Cheffinalist; Aviva Goldfarb of “SixO’Clock Scramble” books; chefKate Sherwood of the Center forScience in the Public Interest; andBonnie Benwick, deputy food edi-

tor of The Washington Post, whofocused on “Food is Hot.” Scoringfor the students was broken downby 20 percent presentation; 40percent taste; 30 percent adapt-ability to school lunches; and 10percent team organization.

“Today is such an exciting eventbecause it demonstrates our com-munity commitment to providinghealthy food to every child,” saidMegan McLaughlin, BraddockSchool Board representative. “I amso proud of the Real Food for Kids

11 teams of middle and high school students compete in school food competition.

Real Food for Kids’ Culinary Challenge

organization for their leadershipand advocacy in this area. Theirpowerful voice has inspired ourschool system to make real andsubstantive improvements to ourschool meals.”

“The whole point of it is to en-courage kids to participate inhealthier cooking and foods thatare in school. We’re trying to en-courage kids to help change schoolfood and to live a more activelifestyle,” said Diana Nash, RealFood for Kids event coordinator.

“This year we decided to openit up for middle schoolers and highschoolers. I’m really impressedwith the level of skill and prepa-ration of the teams today,” saidJenny Hein, executive director ofReal Food for Kids.

An awards ceremony at the endincluded $200 scholarships, $50gift cards to Sur La Table, a $500raffle award to Williams-Sonoma,gift certificate to Earl’s Kitchen &Bar for six people, cookbooks anda Veggetti Spiralizer, among othergifts. All participating students leftwith their own gift bags.

The winner of the first place award in the culinary challenge went to Marshall Acad-emy in Falls Church/McLean. Each student received a $200 scholarship.

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RESTON • 1480 North Point Village • 703-733-3860Reserve your Easter meal for pick-up at HoneyBaked.com

(On Reston Parkway between Rt. 7& Baron Cameron Dr.)

Comstock AnnouncesMilitary Academy Day

Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-10)has announced the annual 10th CongressionalDistrict Military Academy Day. This year’s Mili-tary Academy Day will be held Saturday, April2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the LoudounCounty Public School Administration buildinglocated at 21000 Education Court, Ashburn.The event is free and open to all students, par-ents and guidance staff who are interested inlearning more about the nation’s service acad-emies.

“To keep America’s fighting force the best inthe world our military service academies mustrecruit the finest young men and women to beour nation’s future leaders,” said Congress-woman Comstock.

Representatives from all of the service acad-emies – Army, Navy, Air Force, Merchant Ma-rine and Coast Guard – will be in attendance.Representatives from the Marine Corps ROTCprogram, the Virginia Army National Guard,Virginia Military Institute, the Virginia TechCorps of Cadets and The Citadel have also beeninvited. Additionally, the American Legion andRandolph-Macon Academy will be represented.Beginning at 10:30 a.m. to noon a formal pre-sentation will commence. Each of the acad-emies will make a presentation and studentswill be able to meet with admissions staff andask questions. If you have questions, contactMary Ann Cannon at 703-404-6903 or by emailat [email protected].

Spring Clean-Up atColonial Farm

The Claude Moore Colonial Farm, 6310Georgetown Pike, McLean will hold a SpringClean-Up on Saturday and Sunday, March 19-20, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Play a role in getting thefarm ready for the 2016 season and OpeningDay April 1. On this 18th-century workingfarm, trails and fields need to be cleared, fencesrebuilt and wood split, moved and stacked.There is also work in the greenhouse, clean-ing animal pens and other spruce up activi-ties. Complimentary picnic hot dog lunch willbe available. Great activity for groups and fami-lies. Bring work gloves and dress for theweather.

No admission fee; RSVP to [email protected];directions and more information atwww.1771.org.

Brightview to HostRetirement PlanningDiscussion

Join Brightview Great Falls and the commu-nity for “Three Highly Effective Tools for Plan-ning your Retirement” on March 23 at 6:30p.m. The three tools include:

❖ When and how long term care insurancecan be an important tool in your plan;

❖ How to manage your assets for life’s dif-ferent stages;

❖ Tax strategies that can protect and maxi-mize your assets.

RVSP to Carolyn Pennington at 703-759-2513. Location: Brightview Great Falls, 10200Colvin Run Rd, Great Falls.

Great FallsSenior CenterLuncheon at L’AubergeChez Francois

The Great Falls Senior Center (GFSC) eventfor April 5 will be a luncheon hosted byL’Auberge Chez Francois, 332 Springvale Road,Great Falls, 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Luncheonincludes appetizer, entrée, and dessert choiceswith coffee or tea.

Reservations are limited. Cost is $40 perperson (tip and tax included). Call Sondra Tay-lor, 703-759-6204 or [email protected]. Send checks (Payable toGFSC) to Sondra Taylor 752 Boehms Court,Great Falls 22066.

GFSC’s mission is to enrich the lives of thecommunity’s seniors with stimulating and so-cial networking opportunities. To become amember for 2016, send your name, address,phone number and email with a check for$15.00 per person payable to GFSC to GFSC;P.O. Box 425; Great Falls VA 22066. Also visitgfseniors.org.

Faith Notes are for announcements andevents in the faith community. Send [email protected] is Friday.

40th Annual Easter Sunrise Ser-vice will be held outdoors at Great FallsPark on Sunday, March 27 at 6:30 AM.The event is offered by the eightchurches of the Great Falls Area Minis-tries. Free parking. All are welcome.703-860-2276. Call for exact location.

Great Falls United MethodistChurch,10100 Georgetown Pike, GreatFalls, will host annual yard sale/fleamarket on Saturday, May 7, 2016 from7 a.m.-2 p.m. You can now reserve a10x10’ space ($25) to sell your owntreasures or donate items to the church(they would pick up). Come shop, do-nate and/or sell your own things.703-582-1640.

Christ the King LutheranChurch, 10550 Georgetown Pike,Great Falls: Experience Lent in aNew Way. Each Thursday, Feb. 18through March 17. Free supper of nativefoods. Visitors are welcome to come forone or all meals: 6 – 7:15 p.m. March 17(Egypt). For information: 703-759-6068or http://www.gflutheran.org/

St. Francis Episcopal Church,9220 Georgetown Pike in Great Falls,offers musical, educational, outreachand fellowship ministries in addition toworship services, including a 7:45 a.m.worship service without music; 9 a.m.worship service, children’s chapel andchildren’s choirs; 10 a.m. Sunday schooland adult forum; and 11 a.m. worshipservice with adult choir. 703-759-2082.

Faith NotesWeek in Great Falls


Opinion

Homelessness i s down inFairfax County in every ma-jor category, a fact con-firmed on Jan. 28, 2016, the

annual Point in Time Count.There were 145 fewer individuals homeless

than the Point In Time Count a year earlier,138 of those in families, and seven fewer home-less individuals. There also were no familiesin overflow motels, and no familieswere unsheltered in the 2016 count.

Sixty-four percent of the 577 familymembers who were literally homelesson Jan. 28, 2016 were in transitional housing,with the rest in emergency shelter. There werevacancies in emergency shelters for familiesand in domestic violence shelters; no familieswere unsheltered.

“This trend is beautiful,” said Sharon Bulova,chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Su-pervisors. “The things we’re doing are makinga difference.”

In 2008, the Fairfax County established theOffice to Prevent and End Homelessness witha plan to end homelessness within 10 years.

“Seeing the numbers decrease in so manydifferent areas is encouraging after workingon the 10 year plan,” said Dean Klein, directorof the Office to Prevent and End Homelessness.Since 2008, the number of people who are lit-erally homeless on the day of the Point in TimeCount has decreased by 776 individuals. “Since2008 there has been a 42 percent reduction inthe number of people counted as homeless,from 1,835 people in 2008 to 1,059 in 2016,”

Klein reported to the Board of Supervisors onMonday, March 14.

Julie Maltzman, manager of Continuum ofCare, reported the details to the GoverningBoard of the Fairfax-Falls Church Partnershipto Prevent and End Homelessness on Mondayafternoon.

A coordinated effort among partners, morehousing options and flexible funding helped

to get formerly homeless families intomore viable housing with appropriateservices, said Joe Meyer, executive di-rector of Shelter House. More public

awareness around homelessness is also mak-ing a difference, Meyer said.

Still, 341 children under the age of 18 wereamong those literally homeless in this year’sPoint in Time Count, 32 percent of all home-less.

Eighty percent (190 people) of the adults inhomeless families were female; 66 percent ofadults (155) in homeless families were em-ployed; a slight increase from 62 percent in2015. Twelve percent (21) of families wereconsidered “youth households,” with all fam-ily members under 25 years old.

Single adults made up 46 percent of allhomeless people counted, a total of 482. Forty-two percent (202 people) of single adults whowere homeless suffered from serious mentalillness and/or substance abuse, a 13 percentdecrease from last year. Many had chronichealth problems and/or physical disabilities aswell.

Thirty percent (146 people) were experienc-

ing chronic homelessness. This is a significantdecrease from last year when 42 percent (203people) were experiencing chronichomelessness.

Among the factors helping to reducehomelessness, Maltzman said: the adoption ofa Housing First approach; increasedhomelessness prevention and rapid rehousingefforts; prioritizing housing for individuals withthe longest history of homelessness and high-est vulnerability; additional permanent sup-portive housing for singles experiencingchronic homelessness; focus on housing vet-erans including use of Veterans Affairs Support-ive Housing (VASH) vouchers; new permanenthousing opportunities for families with chil-dren.

To find out more, see http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/homeless/

Support the effort to end homelessness bycontributing to the Build a Village campaignfound there as well.

Support the nonprofit partners working toend homelessness, including FACETS, Corner-stones, New Hope Housing, Northern VirginiaFamily Services, Shelter House, United Com-munity Ministries, Good Shepherd Housing,Alternative House, Homestretch, PathwaysHomes and others.

— Mary Kimm

[email protected]

Mary Kimm is a member of the Governing Board ofthe Fairfax-Falls Church Partnership to Prevent andEnd Homelessness.

Homelessness should be rare, brief and non-recurring;776 fewer homeless individuals in 2016 than in 2008.

Homelessness on Its Way Out in Fairfax

Editorial

By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum

State Delegate (D-36)

Ironically Ringling Brothers and Barnumand Bailey Circus moved into the Rich-mond Coliseum for its annual stand at the

same time last week that a few blocks awaythe General Assembly concluded its annualmeeting and members packed up and wenthome. Circus promoters need to come up witha new theme each year to keep its patrons re-turning; this year’s theme was “Extreme.” Re-viewers are likely to come up with very differ-ent assessments of the General Assembly ses-sion. It was not as extreme as some sessions,but as always there were some really goodthings that happened and some not so good.

Legislative sessions tend to be ponderous—nothing as exciting as a flying trapeze or per-son being shot out of a cannon. Progress inchanging laws is made mostly in small, incre-mental steps. This session I am pleased thatsmall steps were taken to reduce the flow ofstudents going from the classroom to the court-room. More emphasis will start to be given toproviding alternatives for youth who misbe-have but who should not be treated like crimi-nals. Very small steps were made in gun safety

by facilitating background checks for those notrequired to have one to purchase a gun butwho volunteer to do so. My bill to require back-ground checks for all purchases at gun showswas defeated. A new law will deny gun own-ership for those against whom a permanentprotective order has been issued. Persons whoreceive protection from the court through suchan order will find an easier path to getting aconcealed weapon permit, an idea I did notsupport.

School reform continues at a slow pace, butthere seems to be a clear recognition that thereis too much standardized testing. School sys-tems struggling with their budgets will receivemore state aid but still at a level below 2006.Economic development funds are increasedwhich should help the super salesman Gover-nor McAuliffe attract more businesses to theCommonwealth.

For the first time in history the legislatureremoved a Supreme Court Justice from of-fice. The refusal to confirm Governor

McAuliffe’s appointee had nothing to do withthe credentials of the justice who was ac-knowledged by all to be eminently qualifiedbut had to do with personalities and strugglesbetween the legislative and executivebranches. A one-day discussion of the pos-sible nomination of former Attorney GeneralKen Cuccinelli brought a public outcry. Thelegislature in the end confirmed a new jus-tice (without my vote) who is as ideologi-cally conservative as Cuccinelli but not apolitical activist.

The biennial budget brought good news tomany programs as the economic recovery hasproduced more revenue than in the past. Un-fortunately, my bill to expand Medicaid cover-age was not approved.

The purpose of the legislative session is seri-ous business and not entertainment like thecircus. There are times, however, that it maybe difficult to tell the difference.

Information about legislative results fromthis session is at http://lis.virginia.gov/lis.htm.

The purpose of the legislative session isserious business and not entertainmentlike the circus. There are times, however,that it may be difficult to tell the difference.

A Circus Show

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Now Open in Great Falls! Celebrating our 20th Year in Northern Virginia

News

Langley Pyramid Art Show Opens atMcLean Community CenterOn Thursday, March 10, the McLean Community Centeropened up the Langley Pyramid Art Show. This showfeatures exceptional artwork made by K-12 studentsfrom Langley HS, Cooper MS, Churchill ES, Colvin RunES, Forestville ES, Great Falls ES and Spring Hill ES.

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FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF VIENNA

450 ORCHARD STREET, NWVIENNA, VA 22180

[email protected]

www.fbcv.org

SUNDAY WORSHIP, 7:45 AM & 11:00 AMCHURCH SCHOOL 9:30AM-10:30AMMIDWEEK SERVICES, WED. 7:00 PM

Visit These Houses of Worship

To Highlight Your Faith Community,call Karen at 703-917-6468

7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II

Sunday School: preschool - grade 2Music: grades 3 - 7

10:25 a.m. Sunday School Grades 3 to 6Music 4 years to 2nd grade

11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II5:00 p.m. Come Just as You Are Contemporary Service

Nursery care provided at 9:00 a.m. service

The Rev. James Papile, RectorThe Rev. Laura Cochran

703-437-6530www.stannes-reston.org

1700 Wainwright Dr., Reston

ST. ANNE’SEPISCOPALCHURCH • Reston

Welcoming, Diverse, Progressive

Calendar

Send announcements to [email protected]. Deadline isFriday for the following week’s paper.Photos/artwork encouraged.

ONGOINGTime Traveler Tuesdays. 4:30 p.m.

March 29-June 7. Colvin Run Mill,10017 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls.This weekly series will takeparticipants on an interactive journeythrough time, focusing on a differentperiod in Virginia history each week.Register at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/colvinrunmill/events.htm.

Scholarship. Deadline April 1. TheBull Run Civil War Round Table inCentreville is offering a $1,500scholarship to a high school seniorwho resides in Fairfax or PrinceWilliam counties and will attendcollege or community college in fall2016. Information and applicationinstructions can be found at http://bullruncwrt.org.

Pigments of My Imagination. Jan.4-March 31. Great Falls Library, 9830Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. Longtime Great Falls resident DonnaBarnako, has created over a dozencolorful and whimsical small works.Her subjects are varied, from pigs topuppies and cowboy boots.

Margaret Newton Original Oils.Through March 31. Modern HistoryCollection, 8100 F Old DominionDrive, McLean. Great Falls originaloil paintings. Opening reception withartist, Thursday, April 7 from 6-8p.m. 703-942-6507.

“Witness: Close Encounters of thePainting Kind.” March 1-31. Katie’sCoffee at the Old Brogue Irish Pub,760 Walker Road, Great Falls. JillBanks’ solo exhibit of backyards,bars, beaches and other sceneskeenly captured. JillBanks.com.

Weekly Storytime. Wednesday andSaturday. 11 a.m. Barnes & Noble,7851 L Tysons Corner Center,McLean. Themes and Titles vary.Free admission.

Gentle Yoga. Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.Emmaus United Church of Christ,900 E Maple Ave. E, Vienna.Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. UnitarianUniversalist Congregation of Fairfax,2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton.Gentle Kundalini Yoga, one freeintroductory session, seniordiscounts. Increase your flexibility,improve your breathing and health,reduce your stress. Ravi Kaur has 15years experience teaching yoga. $15per session.www.edimprovement.org. 571-213-3192.

Tai Chi Beginners’ Practice.Saturdays, 8-9 a.m. St. Luke’sCatholic School Gymnasium, 7005Georgetown Pike, McLean. WeeklyTai Chi practice. Group has met forover 20 years. Free. FreeTaiChi.org.703-759-9141.

“Wishes and Dreams” Exhibit.March 1-April 2. Vienna Art Center,115 Pleasant St., NW, Vienna. Free.viennaartssociety. 703-319-3971.

Goldstein Artist Showcase. March1-23. Broadway Gallery, 1025-JSeneca Road, Great Falls. Great FallsGallery will feature the pastels andmixed media paintings of local artist,Lynn Goldstein.www.broadwaygallery.net. 703-450-8005.

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 16McLean Newcomers and

Neighbors Monthly Luncheon.11:30 a.m. Peking Gourmet Inn,6029 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church.Cabi clothing stylist, AllisonBateman, will speak, providing uswith all the latest spring trends for2016. $24. RSVP by March 11 toSusie Osser at [email protected].

THURSDAY/MARCH 17Spanish Storytime featuring

CommuniKids. 11 a.m. Barnes andNoble Tysons, 7851 L. Tysons CornerCenter, McLean. Give your child thelove of language at a fun, engagingStorytime in Spanish. 703-506-6756.http://stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/2238.

Game Night: Splendor. 7 p.m.Barnes and Noble Tysons, 7851 L.Tysons Corner Center, McLean. Bringfriends, grab a snack from the Cafeand get ready for some board gamefun. Free. 703-506-6756. http://stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/2238.

St. Patrick’s Day Chef’s Table. 6:30p.m. Wildfire, Tysons Galleria, 2001International Drive, McLean. Tastethe talents of executive chefs, EdwinAmaya and Moreno Espinoza, as theyprepare and personally present acustom four-course menu withoptional beer pairings. $40-$55 perperson. To reserve, call 703-442-9110.

FRIDAY/MARCH 18Flashlight Egg Hunt. 7 p.m. Glyndon

Park, 300 Glyndon St., NE, Vienna.Enjoy a family evening searching foreggs and prizes in the dark! Pleasebring a flashlight so you can find theeggs. Jump like a bunny in the moonbounce and visit the Easter Bunny.703-255-6360.

McLean Art Society Meeting. 10a.m.-noon. McLean CommunityCenter, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean.Linda Maldonado, a painter who usesmixed media and creative collage,will be the presenting artist. Guestswelcome. 703-790-0123.

SATURDAY/MARCH 19Easter Egg Hunt at Colvin Run

Mill. Starting at 10 a.m. Colvin RunMill, 10017 Colvin Run Road, GreatFalls. Hunt for eggs filled with treatsand treasures of the grounds ofColvin Run Mill Historic Site.Separate hunts by age group. Beforethe hunt, make egg-cellent crafts totake home. Bring your own basket;program will be held rain or shine.Ages 2-9. $6/$8. Register at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/colvinrunmill/events.htm.

Old-Fashioned Egg Hunt and Roll.10:30-11:30 a.m. Freeman House,131 Church St., NE, Vienna. Children12 and under and their parents arewelcome to participate in an egg rolland visit with Easter Bunny, hostedby Historic Vienna, Inc. 703-938-5187.

Mr. Jon and Friends. 10:30 a.m.Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave.,Vienna. This energetic family music isall about fun, movement, and

laughter. Mr. Jon & Friends makesmusic for kids and their families thatinspire fun, laughter, and dancing.$25. Family pack available. http://jamminjava.com/event/1032603.

Author Reading and Signing. 2 p.m.Barnes and Noble Tysons, 7851 L.Tysons Corner Center, McLean. NewYork Times bestselling children’sauthor Jonah Winter will read andsign copies of his new picture-bookbiography “Hillary.” Free. 703-506-6756. http://stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/2238.

Tiszla Ensemble HungarianDancers. 7:30 p.m. UUCF SanctuaryUnitarian Universalist Congregationof Fairfax, 2709 Hunter Mill Road,Oakton. Hungarian dancing invintage costumes at a family friendlyfundraiser. Bring your dancing shoesand learn a few new steps. $20/$5.uucf.org.

THURSDAY/MARCH 24Game Night: Codenames. 7 p.m.

Barnes and Noble Tysons, 7851 L.Tysons Corner Center, McLean. Bringfriends, grab a snack from the Cafeand get ready for some board gamefun. Free. 703-506-6756. http://stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/2238.

Rodin Lecture. 7-8:30 p.m. McLeanProject for the Arts, 1234 InglesideAve., McLean. Join Jeffrey Allison,Paul Mellon Collection Educator andManager, Statewide Programs andExhibitions, as he explores the lifeand work of Auguste Rodin, thegreatest sculptor of the 19th- andearly 20th-centuries. mpaart.org.703-790-1953.

SATURDAY/MARCH 26Meet Biscuit. 2 p.m. Barnes and Noble

Tysons, 7851 L. Tysons CornerCenter, McLean. Special Storytimewith one of the most belovedchildren’s book characters of all time- Biscuit! A brief Meet and Greet withBiscuit will follow Storytime. Free.http://stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/2238.

Easter Egg Hunt. Starts 9:30 a.m.Nottoway Park, 9537 CourthouseRoad, Vienna. Special appearance bythe Easter Bunny. Bring own basketand hunt for candy and eggs filledwith treats. Ages 1-9. $10 per child.Cash only. Information call 703-324-8566.

Springfest. 10 a.m.-noon. McLeanCommunity Center, 1234 InglesideAve., McLean. Spring Fest is a specialevent that includes self-guided artsand crafts projects, entertainmentand the opportunity for children toget a professional-quality photo with“Bunny.” $5, Free to children up to

36 months. mcleancenter.org. 703-790-0123.

Bring Back Bluebirds. 10 a.m.Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac HillsSt., Great Falls. Discover the world ofbluebirds while making a difference.Build your own bluebird box andlearn how to monitor for success. $10paid to instructor at class for eachbox. Meet at the Nature Center.Discover the world of bluebirds whilemaking a difference. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend-park/calendar.htm.

Easter Egg Hunt and Buffet. 9-11a.m. Wildfire, 2001 InternationalDrive, McLean. Brunch and egg hunt.Special guest host Melissa Mollet ofNBC 4. $15/$20. 703-442-9110.

SUNDAY/MARCH 27Easter Brunch at Tysons. 11 a.m.-3

p.m. Sheraton Tysons Hotel, 8661Leesburg Pike, Tysons. Modernbuffet. Easter bunny. $22/$46.sheratontysons.org.

MONDAY/MARCH 28Native American Crafts and

Games Workshop. 9 a.m.Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac HillsSt., Great Falls.Shoot a bow andarrow, launch a spear and make coolcrafts as you learn about daily NativeAmerican life long ago. Bring snack,lunch and drink. Register anddownload forms at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend-park/calendar.htm.

TUESDAY/MARCH 29“Julius Caesar.” 7 p.m. The Alden

Theatre, 1234 Ingleside Ave.,McLean. Presented by the AmericanShakespeare Center. Shakespeareshows us a world on fire; a worldturned upside down; a world wheresome of history’s most famous mencommit horrific crimes in the name ofpatriotism and honor. $35/$20.aldentheatre.org. 703-790-0123.

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 30“The Importance of Being

Earnest.” 7 p.m. The Alden Theatre,

Photo contributed

Rescheduled performance of “The Importance of BeingEarnest” will be at The Alden Theatre on Wednesday,March 30.

1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean.Presented by the AmericanShakespeare Center. Wit and style,brilliant and wicked comicmasterpiece. 35/$20.aldentheatre.org. 703-790-0123.

THURSDAY/MARCH 31Game Night: Lanterns. 7 p.m. Barnes

and Noble Tysons, 7851 L. TysonsCorner Center, McLean. Bringfriends, grab a snack from the Cafeand get ready for some board gamefun. Free. 703-506-6756. http://stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/2238.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/APRIL 1, 2, 8, 9“In Living Sound.” 8 p.m. Flame

Room, Vienna Volunteer FireDepartment, 400 Center St., S,Vienna. An evening of food, fun andtheatre. Entertaining radio showsfrom the 1940s: “Adventures of theThin Man: The Case of the GoofyGroom” and “The Big Story: Manhuntin Manhattan.” $25/$30 includesdinner, drinks, dessert.www.viennatheatrecompany.org.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY/APRIL 1-3Lea Colie Wight Workshop:

Painting the Head in Color. 9:30a.m.-4:30 p.m. The Arts of GreatFalls School, 756 Walker Road, GreatFalls. Guides participants throughexercises designed to extract specificinformation from the live model.$400. greatfallsart.org.

SATURDAY/APRIL 2Build Your Own Bat House. 9 a.m.

Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac HillsSt., Great Falls. Bats help eatmosquitoes, and pollinate plants, butthey are having a hard time. Helpthese important animals thrive bybuilding a bat house to hang in youryard. $8. $15 per bat house. Registerat http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend-park/calendar.htm.

Wagon Ride to Poohsticks Bridge.10 a.m. Riverbend Park, 8700Potomac Hills St., Great Falls. Meetat the Nature Center. Journey

through the woods to Poohsticksbridge. Listen to Winnie the Pooh’sstory and play Poohsticks on thebridge. $6/$8. Register at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend-park/calendar.htm.

SUNDAY/APRIL 3Salamanders Undercover. 10 a.m.

Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac HillsSt., Great Falls. Learn about thesecret lives of these importantamphibians through hands-ondiscoveries. $8/$10. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend-park/calendar.htm.

Community Concert Series. 4 p.m.Oakton Church of the Brethren,10025 Courthouse Road, Vienna.Pianist Raffi Kasparian, cellist DavidCho and violinist Judith Cho willplay. Free oaktonbrethren.org. 703-281-4411.

FRIDAY/APRIL 8Fairfax Volunteer Awards. 8 a.m.

The Waterford, 6715 Commerce St.,Springfield. Join Volunteer Fairfax,Chairman Sharon Bulova and theFairfax County Board of Supervisors,and other community leaders tocelebrate the work of volunteers.Purchase tickets by April 4. $50. Forinformation and tickets go towww.volunteerfairfax.org.

SATURDAY/APRIL 9Ellis Paul. 6:30 p.m. Jammin Java, 227

Maple Ave., East, Vienna. Folksinger,storyteller. $20/$22.jamminjava.com.

SUNDAY/APRIL 10Wolftrap Elementary 5K. 8-10 a.m.

Wolftrap Elementary School, 1903Beulah Road, Vienna.

Jazz Celebration Concert. 3:30-5:30p.m. Vienna Presbyterian, 124 ParkSt., NE, Vienna. The Cathedral Brassof Vienna Presbyterian Church, willperform a free concert of jazzfavorites with guest artists RobertWyatt and Graham Breedlove.cathedralbrass.org. 703-851-4709.

THURSDAY/MARCH 17St. Patrick’s Day Chef’s Table. 6:30 p.m. Wildfire, Tysons

Galleria, 2001 International Drive, McLean. Taste thetalents of executive chefs, Edwin Amaya and MorenoEspinoza, as they prepare and personally present a customfour-course menu with optional beer pairings. $40-$55 perperson. To reserve, call 703-442-9110.

FRIDAY/MARCH 18Flashlight Egg Hunt. 7 p.m. Glyndon Park, 300 Glyndon

St., NE, Vienna. Enjoy a family evening searching for eggsand prizes in the dark! Please bring a flashlight so you canfind the eggs. Jump like a bunny in the moon bounce andvisit the Easter Bunny. 703-255-6360.

SATURDAY/MARCH 19Easter Egg Hunt at Colvin Run Mill. Starting at 10 a.m.

Colvin Run Mill, 10017 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls. Huntfor eggs filled with treats and treasures of the grounds ofColvin Run Mill Historic Site. Separate hunts by age group.Before the hunt, make egg-cellent crafts to take home.Bring your own basket; program will be held rain or shine.Ages 2-9. $6/$8. Register at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/colvinrunmill/events.htm.

Old-Fashioned Egg Hunt and Roll. 10:30-11:30 a.m.Freeman House, 131 Church St., NE, Vienna. Children 12and under and their parents are welcome to participate inan egg roll and visit with Easter Bunny, hosted by HistoricVienna, Inc. 703-938-5187.

Celebrating Spring

SUNDAY/MARCH 2032nd Annual Children’s Spring Festival. 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Great Falls Village Centre, 776 Walk Road, Great Falls.Games, rides, food, fun. Sponsored by Adeler Jewelers,703-759-4076; and Great Falls Optimist Club.

SATURDAY/MARCH 26Easter Egg Hunt. Starts 9:30 a.m. Nottoway Park, 9537

Courthouse Road, Vienna. Special appearance by the EasterBunny. Bring own basket and hunt for candy and eggs filledwith treats. Ages 1-9. $10 per child. Cash only. Informationcall 703-324-8566.

Springfest. 10 a.m.-noon. McLean Community Center, 1234Ingleside Ave., McLean. Spring Fest is a special event thatincludes self-guided arts and crafts projects, entertainmentand the opportunity for children to get a professional-quality photo with “Bunny.” $5, Free to children up to 36months. mcleancenter.org. 703-790-0123.

Easter Egg Hunt and Buffet. 9-11 a.m. Wildfire, 2001International Drive, McLean. Brunch and egg hunt. Specialguest host Melissa Mollet of NBC 4. $15/$20. 703-442-9110.

SUNDAY/MARCH 27Easter Brunch at Tysons. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sheraton Tysons

Hotel, 8661 Leesburg Pike, Tysons. Modern buffet. Easterbunny. $22/$46. sheratontysons.org.

The Old Brogue’s 35th anniversarycelebration will take place on St.Patrick’s Day, March 17. TheSnuggery (Katie’s Coffee Housespace) will offer five seatings for a

sit-down 3-course meal and music byPennywhistle from County Donegal, Ire-land. Reservations are required.

The St. Patrick’s Day Pub Bash nextdoor begins at 10 a.m. and features

three bars serving traditional Irishbeers, live music all day by TedGarber, and the $10 cover chargeincludes an official 2016 commemo-rative button. For more informationor to make reservations, call The OldBrogue at 703-759-3309.

St. Patrick’s Day at The Old Brogue

SHILLELAGHS TRAVEL CLUB100 East Street SE, Suite 202 • Vienna, Virginia 22180

703-242-2204 1-800-556-8646Please visit our Web site at: www.shillelaghtravelclub.com

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Azalea Festival in Norfolk by Motorcoach, April 21-24........................$650Includes coach from Vienna or Rockville, 3-nights oceanfront hotel in Virginia Beach,Daily Breakfast & Dinner, & porterage. Reserved seats at Parade, Virginia Intl. TattooShow, Sightseeing - Call for detailed Itinerary.Rehoboth Beach, DE, May 9-13...............................................................$659Includes Motorcoach from Vienna or Rockville, Oceanfront Hotel for 4 night-- short walkto restaurants, shopping & theatre. Special luncheon with drinks on last day. Great oppor-tunity to be at beach before the crowds!IRELAND, May 22-June 1.....................................................................$3199Includes air from Dulles to Dublin, 9-nights hotel with Irish Breakfast Daily, 8 Dinners,Irish Coffee, Welcome coffee/tea & scones, Daily Sightseeing --Call for detailed itinerary.Visiting Galway, Donegal, Derry, Giant’s Causeway, Belfast, Newgrange, Letrim & astay in Cabra Castle in Cavan!

One mile east of Beltway, Exit 44, at 6715 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22101


News

By Andrea Worker

The Connection

The Virginia Department of Trans-portation (VDOT) and theirpartner the Virginia Departmentof Rail and Public Transporta-

tion hosted the third and final Design Pub-lic Hearing on their plans to improve I-66inside the Beltway by the addition of an-other lane of traffic and by the conversionof the road to a completely tolled thorough-fare during peak morning and eveningtravel hours. The meeting, postponed fromJanuary when Storm Jonas came to town,was held on Wednesday, March 9, at VDOT’sNorthern Virginia District headquarters inFairfax, but despite the lengthy delay im-posed by mother nature, some of the audi-ence members left with the feeling that theywere being asked to wait even longer foranswers to their questions and concerns.“By the time we get the answers,” said Rob-ert Bear, a resident from the Fair Lakes area,“they will have already awarded their con-tracts and the work will be underway.”

AFTER MAKING THE PRESENTATIONon the project’s current status, AmandaBaxter, VDOT special projects manager whowas helming the podium, did announce thatthe evening’s proceedings would not take a“dialogue format” but that “team techni-cians would be available to respond to com-ments and questions.” When adding herconcerns about overspill traffic from mo-torists seeking to avoid I-66 and the tollsinto the public record, Ginger Harrison ofArlington asked for clarification of that re-

sponse period. “I am a bit confused aboutthe format,” she asked. “Will we not getanswers to any of our questions or be ableto generate any comments this evening?”Baxter reiterated that the agenda was toreceive comments, then there would be timeremaining for technical experts to respond.“So we will get answers this evening. That’shelpful, thank you,” said Harrison. Some ofthe speakers and others in attendanceseemed taken aback then, when Baxter con-cluded the meeting after the last officialcomments and invited the assembly to moveout into the hallway where presentationboards were on display, manned by projectrepresentatives.

When it seemed that there wasn’t a rushto accept this invitation, Fairfax CountyBoard of Supervisors Chairman SharonBulova asked, “At what point will these com-ments and questions be addressed?” Baxterreplied that comments would be welcomedfrom the public through March 24 and thatVDOT expected to have responses availableby the end of April. “So, you’re not going tohave some response tonight?” asked Bulova.“No,” responded Baxter, adding that theformat for the Design Meetings has been toaccept comments and then allow for inter-action individually with the technicians andfor examination and explanations of theproject materials. Further inquiry fromChairman Bulova did result in the an-nouncement by Baxter that there would bepublished responses via the Transform I-66Inside the Beltway website and othersources.

So, what were some of those commentsand questions that were left, at least tem-

porarily, unanswered?

SEVERAL OF THE SPEAKERS ques-tioned why the “transformed” I-66 wouldrequire an E-Z Pass or E-Z Pass Flex tran-sponder to pay the toll. Fran Taylor of FallsChurch cited examples of other jurisdictionsaround the country and in other parts ofworld that had alternative tolling methods.“The technology exists,” she said. “Someplaces, you can call in, go online, or evenuse a machine at a gas station to pay within24 hours of using the toll road. Why can’twe do that?”

Jeff Barnes agreed, expressing concern forwhat would happen to those who get onthe toll road following maps or GPS instruc-tions “like tourists and other visitors, orpeople travelling to and from the airport.”He said that these drivers were “valuedguests, not the ‘violators’ that VDOT is call-ing them. This is not a good philosophy forVirginia.”

Barnes also added his voice to Harrison’sand several others who are unconvincedthat “secondary” and connecting roadswould not be negatively impacted, espe-cially when the “free ride” for 2 or morepassengers per vehicle changes to 3 or morein 2020. Barnes asked to see what studieshad been done and what percentage of driv-ers VDOT expected would discontinue us-ing the toll road under those requirementsand return to the secondary routes.

Robert Bear, too, worries that when thealready-crowded secondary routes receivethe additional traffic from drivers avoidingthe tolls, “You’ll never get out” of thoseneighborhoods. “Has anyone who wrotethese plans ever used these roads?” heasked.

There were also questions and commentsof a financial nature. Rob Whitfield with the

Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance attendsmost of the transportation-related meetingsin the region. He called the decision to onlytoll in one direction “a discriminatory plan.”He also has serious reservations about theappointment by resolution of the NorthernVirginia Transportation Commission(NVTC) to be the body that will handle thenet toll revenue and distribute the funds forapproved projects along the I-66 corridor.“The NVTC is unfit to govern this processor these funds,” he said, believing that theNorthern Virginia Transportation Authoritywould be better suited and also includesmembers from affected jurisdictions that arenot represented on the NVTC.

Questions were also posed about noiseand environmental impacts that had yet tobe addressed in materials currently avail-able on the website.

Eventually, many from the audience didleave the meeting room and engage withthe technical team, all of whom seemedeager to assist, even shepherding some ofthe questioners to other team members withexpertise in particular areas of interest orconcern. “They were really pleasant andseemed to want to help,” said Robert Bear,“but I heard a lot of ‘it’s because of this ju-risdiction, or that politician or that regula-tion or this study.’ Honestly, I am leavinghere with more questions and concerns thanwhen I got here. I guess I’ll just have towait.”

The website www.insidetransform66.orgcontains all of the materials presented atthe meeting, as well as full plans for theproject and many of the studies that havealready been done. Comments and ques-tions can also be submitted on the site bythe March 24 deadline. Construction of thetolling gantries is expected to begin in 2017,with tolling operational by 2018.

VDOT’s Transform I-66 Inside the Beltwaymeeting leaves public waiting for answers.

No E-Z Answers on I-66

Photo by Andrea Worker/The Connection

At the table were Todd Horsley from the Virginia Department of Rail andPublic Transportation, Nick Nicholson of the I-66 Team, and ReneeHamilton, VDOT deputy district administrator. Amanda Baxter, VDOTspecial projects manager stands behind the lectern.

Slide from the VDOT/DRPT presentation

The slide was one of many used in the presentation by VDOT specialprojects manager Amanda Baxter to assist the public in understandingthe scope and design of the proposed changes to I-66 inside the Beltway.


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By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

Starting the conversationfelt awkward. After all,she didn’t want to offendanother parent. It also felt

necessary, because putting her 5-year-old son in harm’s way was notan option. After procrastinating,role-playing and even discussing itwith a therapist, Sara Hayes finallyinitiated the dialogue. Beforescheduling a play date, she wantedto know if the families of her son’sfriends owned guns.

“My son had started makingfriends in kindergarten and ofcourse I wanted him to have play-mates and go on play dates,” saidHayes. “But I had this fear of himbeing in someone’s house wherethere was a gun that he could gethis hands on.”

Statistics from the Brady Cam-paign to Prevent Gun Violence in-

dicate that one out of three homesin the Unites States with childrenhave guns and almost 1.7 millionchildren live in a home with a gunthat is unlocked and loaded. Childdevelopment experts say that be-cause many children are naturallycurious, the odds of a child findingand playing with a gun that is rela-tively accessible are high. Even if aparent has never thought to askabout guns in a home or finds thetopic too uncomfortable to raise, theconversation is vital to helping par-ents make decisions about safety,because simply telling a child to stayaway from a gun is not enough tochange that child’s behavior.

“Each family needs to decide whatinformation they would like toknow. Parents should be aware thatchildren’s judgment alone is not areliable security measure,” saidBethesda, Md.-based child psycholo-gist Stacie Isenberg, Psy.D. “Way toooften curiosity wins over judgment.”

TipsThe Center to Prevent Youth Vio-

lence has created a resource forparents who want to inquire if thereare firearms where their childrenplay. They offer these tips, whichmight make it easier to open a dia-logue:

❖ Ask with other questions.Include the question along withother things you might normally dis-cuss before sending your child tosomeone’s house — such as seat

Starting conversations aboutgun safety can help preventplay date tragedies.

‘Do You Keep a Gun in Your Home?’A study by a researcher at Eckerd

College showed that educatingpreschool children about the po-tential dangers of guns didn’t pre-vent them from playing with guns.In writing about her findings,Marjorie Hardy, Ph.D., explained,“… We brought a police officer toa class of 60 children and he toldthem: “Don’t touch guns — they’redangerous. If you see a gun, leavethe area. Go tell an adult.”

After the officer’s presentation,the children could repeat whatthey’d been taught to do when theysaw a gun. “But when we left themalone with disarmed guns, theypicked them up and shot every-thing in sight,” she wrote.

Officer Roger Henriquez of theFairfax County Police Department,Franconia District Station says thatparents might consider asking aparent before a play date: “Howmany guns do you own, and howdo you keep them stored?’ ‘Do youhave a lock box or other safety fea-tures … like trigger locks?’ ‘Do youtake your kids to a firing range?’”

Such questions will help parentsgather information to determinewhether their child’s playmates’parents share their views on gun

belts, animals, or allergies.❖ Use the facts. Over one-third

of homes with children have a gun.Many of those guns are left unlockedand loaded. That is why you are ask-ing — you just want to make surethat your child is safe.

❖ Don’t be confrontational.Present your concerns in a respectfulmanner. You are simply trying tomake sure your child is in a safe en-vironment.

For more information, visit:https://askingsaveskids.org

safety and storage, since parentingphilosophies run the gamut fromlax to strict where guns are con-cerned. “Some parents take theirkids to a firing range and other kidsare told nothing except ‘Stay awayfrom this box,’” said Henriquez.

Starting such conversations canbe fraught with anxiety, and manyparents are reticent to broach thesubject, especially with friends. “It’suncomfortable to talk honestly withother parents about issues such asguns because they are so politicallydivisive,” said Amy L. Best, Ph.D.,professor and chair of the Depart-ment of Sociology and Anthropol-ogy at George Mason University inFairfax. “It’s also difficult to ask otherparents questions that may be takenas a judgment on [their] parenting.”

To increase the chance of asmooth and amicable conversa-tion, Best suggests that bringing upquestions about possible firearmsand their storage should happen

well before a play date, rather thanwhen a child is dropped off at afriend’s house.

“A parent can begin with lettingthe hosting parent know if yourchild has any allergies,” said Best.“This can be followed by ‘I justwanted to make sure if you haveguns at home, they are secured ina lock box.’”

A straightforward approach is anessential part of initiating theseconversations. “It is important tobe honest about your concerns,”said Isenberg. “Parents can tell theother family that prior to a playdate at a new home, they alwaysinquire as to the presence of guns.”

The statistics, say child re-searchers, bear out the impor-tance of overcoming initial dis-comfort about a potentially con-troversial conversation. “I thinkmost parents support firearmsafety, if that means keeping chil-dren safe,” said Best.

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Sports

By Jon Roetman

The Connection

In the early days of her Langley coaching career, Amanda Baker hoped tolead the girls’ basketball team to a.500 record.

After three losing seasons, the Saxons fin-ished 21-5 during the 2014-15 campaignand the team’s focus turned to competingfor championships.

When Langley defeated Edison, one of thestate’s top 5A teams, during the secondgame of the 2015-16 season, Baker realizedthe Saxons could be something special.

“[T]hat’s when,” Baker said, “the visiongot a little bit bigger.”

Three months later, the Saxons were onthe state’s brightest stage with a chance totie in the closing seconds against the two-time defending champion. While Langleywould fall short of the ultimate prize, theSaxons received praise from their opponentfollowing the conclusion of the best seasonin program history.

The Cosby Titans won their third consecu-tive state championship, beating Langley42-37 in the 6A final on March 9 at VCU inRichmond.

Langley senior guard Lizzy Shamlooscored with 1:23 remaining, cutting theSaxon deficit to 40-37. Langley got the ballback with less than a minute remaining, butCosby senior guard Jocelyn Jones came upwith a steal and was fouled with 10 sec-onds on the clock. Jones, who will play forthe University of North Carolina, made apair of free throws and the Titans took homethe title.

Jones finished with 18 points and 10 re-bounds. Tyra Whitehead, a 6-foot-2 postwho will play for Wake Forest, scored 12points and grabbed 16 boards for the Ti-tans.

While dealing with the Cosby duo was adifficult task, the Saxons didn’t back down.

“They were relentless on defense, theyrebounded well, they shot pretty well,”Cosby head coach Rachel Mead said. “…They didn’t back down. They’re scrappy.”

Langley trailed by nine points entering thefourth quarter but worked its way back. AShamloo 3-pointer with 7:40 remaining cutthe Cosby lead to six. A 3-pointer by PaigeGaliani 30 seconds later cut the deficit tofive. Shamloo’s bucket with 5:39 on theclock cut the Titan advantage to 39-35, andwhen Shamloo scored again with 1:23 re-maining, it was down to a one-possessiongame.

“They’re good players and they’re tal-ented, so I think we were a little bit intimi-dated,” Shamloo said, “but we knew thatwe have a strong team and we’ve gottenthis far. We’ve earned this spot that we’rein. It’s not like someone gave it to us.”

Shamloo led Langley with 12 points, ninerebounds and three steals. Galiani finished

with 11 points, four rebounds, two blocksand knocked down a trio of 3-pointers. Jun-ior guard Ari Aulisi scored nine points.

While Langley (26-6) lost in the state fi-nal, the scrappy Saxons put together a sea-son to remember.

Langley won the program’s first confer-ence/district championship since 1988,beating previously undefeated Fairfax in theConference 6 tournament final. The Sax-ons qualified for the state tournament forthe first time in program history with a winover perennial power West Springfield inthe region quarterfinals. After a three-pointloss to then-unbeaten Oakton in the regionsemifinals, Langley defeated Herndon in thethird-place game.

In their first-ever state tournament game,the Saxons went on the road and defeatedLandstown in the quarterfinals at ODU.Langley got another shot at Oakton in the

semifinals and the Saxons held the Cougarsto a season-low point total and handedthem their only loss of the season, 47-38,on March 8 at VCU.

“I think we started the game the best waywe possibly could have started — extremelyaggressive, looking to score, getting themon their heels early,” Baker said after Lan-gley beat Oakton, “and then we just kept itgoing the entire game.”

The Cougars, led by 6-foot-1 forwardMaddie Royle, 6-foot forward DelaneyConnolly and point guard Alex Marquis,entered the contest averaging 61 points pergame, but managed just 18 through the firstthree quarters.

Connolly recorded a double-double, fin-ishing with 12 points and 12 rebounds.Royle scored four points on 1-for-7 shoot-ing.

“We put a lot of prep into making sure

we could defend them properly, especially[since] they have a really good high-lowgame, and we went through a lot of drillsmaking sure we could get that right,” Lan-gley senior Stephanie Sipple said aboutdefending Oakton’s 6-foot standouts. “It justtook a lot of hard work in getting aroundthem because they’re very skilled playersand they really know how to get a body upagainst you. It was amazing what we coulddo as along as we were talking.”

Marquis finished with eight points on 3-for-12 shooting. Junior guard Kailyn Feescored 10 points on 3-for-10 shooting forthe Cougars.

“I thought [Langley] played an excellentgame,” Oakton head coach Fred Priestersaid. “They were able to stick to their gameplan very, very well and cause us some dif-ficulties, so they definitely deserved to winthe game. We just got out-played today. Wefelt like we were in pretty good shape com-ing in. It’s tough to go undefeated all year.It’s just a lot of pressure.”

Jordyn Callaghan led Langley with 14points against Oakton. The sophomorepoint guard made 12 of 13 free-throw at-tempts. Shamloo finished with eight pointsand seven rebounds, Galiani scored eightpoints and Sipple finished with six pointsand 10 rebounds.

Langley led by as many as 16 points, whenan Aulisi 3-pointer with 5:18 remaining inthe fourth quarter gave the Saxons a 34-18advantage.

“They control the tempo in such a way[that] when we fell behind it was very, verydifficult to come [back],” Priester said.“When we played them last time, we neverfell behind.”

Langley didn’t score many points this sea-son — the Saxons averaged 46.3 per con-test — but its opponents scored even fewer.Langley limited teams to 36.8 points pergame and held opponents to less than 40points in 21 of 32 contests. The Saxons al-lowed 50 or more points only twice and noopponent scored 60 points in a game.

Did the Saxons have to be sold on play-ing this brand of basketball?

“I definitely think the pride on defense iswhat has gotten us this far,” Galiani saidafter the semifinal win over Oakton. “Werealized it was working, we didn’t have tobe sold, that was it.”

Langley will graduate six seniors, includ-ing starters Galiani, Shamloo and Sipple.Galiani was the Saxons’ top offensive threatand became the program’s all-time leadingscorer during her senior season.

Starters Callaghan and Aulisi figure to beLangley’s top returners for the 2016-17 sea-son.

“We got some great experience,” Bakersaid. “We do have returning players fromthat starting five that now know what ittakes to get this far and we had a benchfull of juniors who have been putting in areally hard season going against [the start-ers] every day. I think they understand thework ethic it takes and then what kind ofcompetition we’re going to be facing downthe line.”

Saxons fall to Cosby in6A championship game.

Langley Girls’ Basketball Finishes State Runner-Up

Langley’s Ari Aulisi, left, and Lizzy Shamloo defend Oakton’s Kailyn Feeduring the state semifinals on March 8.

Lizzy Shamloo ledthe Langley girls’basketball teamwith 12 pointsduring the 6A statechampionship gameagainst Cosby onMarch 9 at VCU.

Photos by

Will Palenscar


News

By Abigail Constantino

The Connection

Scott McBride, a Langley HighSchool alumnus, co-author RodThompson and illustrator BrianMartin, read from their book “The

Adventures of Connor the Courageous Cut-ter: Saving Sarah” on Saturday, March 12at Barnes and Noble in Tysons Corner.

McBride’s first job was at The Connection

Newspapers, as a paperboy when he was inthe seventh grade. His mother Cha drovehim and his sister Jackie around as theydelivered the McLean Connection door-to-door. She saw how hardworking her sonreally was.

“I don’t know what they did with themoney, I don’t think they did anything withit. They just wanted to tell people ‘I work,’”said Cha, who lives in Tysons Corner.

McBride’s hard work paid off. He wasaccepted at West Point and the Naval Acad-emy. He chose to go to Annapolis. His mombelieves he went there, even though his fa-ther was in the Army, because it was closeenough to home that his mother can driveand bring home-cooked foods, which shedid every other week.

He went to graduate school at the Uni-versity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill tostudy strategic communications. Out of theblue his advisor asked him if he everthought about writing children’s books.McBride wondered why he asked that. “Wasmy writing so elementary?” But his advisormust have seen something, and the ques-tion stuck with him.

McBride approached Thompson, whowent to the same church, to pick his brainabout writing for children. Thompson didpuppet ministry and he was good with chil-dren. McBride was in the Coast Guard; Th-ompson was in the Navy. Both love boatsand ships. Both have sons named Connor.

They met at a Panera to do some charac-ter outlines but ended up with the entirebook outline in an hour and a half. Theywrote “The Adventures of Connor the Cou-

rageous Cutter: Saving Sarah” in a week anda half.

A cutter is what the U.S. Coast Guard,where McBride works as a public affairsofficer, calls its boats. Perusing BrianMartin’s illustration, it becomes clear veryquickly what McBride and Thompson meanby cutter.

The reading was a reunion of sorts forMcBride, as family, friends and former Lan-gley High School classmates attended.

“For me it’s about empowerment. Peopleshould know, especially children who readthis, that you can do anything you wantwith your life...Go out and do things thatrequire courage. Live a courageous life,”said Thompson.

McBride knows from experience, “Ithink if kids realize that they have adream and they work hard toward it,with a little bit of help and faith, you canaccomplish anything.”

Langley High alumcomes home for areunion of sorts.

From Paperboy to Author, Military Career in Between

From left, Rod Thompson, Scott McBride and Brian Martin hold ananimated reading of their book at Barnes and Noble in Tysons Corner onSaturday, March 12.

Scott McBride faces an audience of children, friends and family, as hereads from his book in front of a hometown audience at Barnes andNoble in Tysons Corner on Saturday, March 12.

Author Scott McBride thanks hismother Cha, of Tysons Corner, forher support in writing his firstbook.

From left, Authors Scott McBrideand Rod Thompson, Preslie Martin,5, and illustrator Brian Martinhold copies of “The Adventures ofConnor the Courageous Cutter:Saving Sarah.”

Scott McBride, left, signs “Dream big. Be creative” on copies of his book“The Adventures of Connor the Courageous Cutter: Saving Sarah.” Co-author Rod Thompson, right, and illustrator Brian Martin, middle, joinhim during a reading and signing at Barnes and Noble in Tysons Corneron Saturday, March 12.

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ABC LICENSECheesetique Ballston LLC trading as Cheesetique, 800 N. Glebe Rd. Arlington, VA 22203. The above establish-ment is applying to the VIR-GINIA DEPARTMENT OF AL-COHOLIC BEVERAGE CON-TROL (ABC) for a Wine & Beer On & Off Premises, Mixed Beverage Restaurant license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages, Phillippa Erber, memberNOTE: Objections to the issu-ance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Ob-jections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

ABC LICENSEChipotle Mexican Grill of Colo-rado, LLC trading as Chipotle Mexican Grill, 3556B S. Jeffer-son St. Falls Church, VA 22041. The above establish-ment is applying to the VIR-GINIA DEPARTMENT OF AL-COHOLIC BEVERAGE CON-TROL (ABC) FOR A Beer On Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic bever-ages, M. Steven Ells, ManagerNOTE: Objections to the issu-ance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Ob-jections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

ABC LICENSEWow Enterprises, Inc trading as Whitlows On Wilson, 2854 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201. The above establish-ment is applying to the VIR-GINIA DEPARTMENT OF AL-COHOLIC BEVERAGE CON-TROL (ABC) for a Wine & Beer On & Off Premises/ Keg Permit/Delivery Permit license to sell or manufacture alcohol-ic beverages, Gregory Cahill, PresidentNOTE: Objections to the issu-ance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Ob-jections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

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Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

“I Have Cancer”

Hardly a news flash, as you regular readersknow. But when I said it the other day inresponse to some general conversation, Ialmost couldn’t get the words out. It waspeculiar, since I’m not usually uncomfortablediscussing cancer or any of the associatedexperiences, and I certainly spend enoughtime writing about it. But when I said thesewords, I almost shook with anxiety or fear orsomething. And it scared me because it was areaction/sensation I had never felt before;well, hadn’t felt in a long time, anyway.

And it’s not as if I spend a majority of mytime denying my affliction. I wouldn’t say Iembrace it, but neither do I shrink from theresponsibility of living with it and trying toovercome it. Nor do I mind being asked ques-tions about cancer or my feelings before, dur-ing and throughout any and all ongoing treat-ments, scans, appointments and lab work andhow it all relates and impacts. I’m open andhonest and try to be “self-effacingly” positivein the midst of/against terrible odds. Generallyspeaking, not much bothers me. In fact, I’vefound a little humor goes a long way, and a lotof humor can mask a multitude of negative/unproductive emotions. (As you might imag-ine, there’s no shortage of these.)

So it was odd – to me, when I went unex-pectedly negative, experiencing an almostphysical reaction to words (which aren’t sup-posed to hurt me; after all, they’re not “sticksand stones”). Words which I must have saidin some context hundreds of times since Iwas diagnosed seven years ago, and rarely ifever shuddering – literally, at the mention ofthem. But shudder I did. I thought I hadbecome accustomed to acknowledging them.Perhaps not?

But this is what cancer does; it sneaks upon you and takes control, physically and emo-tionally. And not merely when you leastexpect it, but when you thought you hadpassed the point of expecting it because youfelt you had been there and doing it longenough that you were resistant to its ravages.Well, I was reminded quite clearly by thisrecent conversation that I will likely never getout from underneath its influence and effect.And here I thought I was Mister Well-Adjusted/Cancer Cool. Not so much, appar-ently. I’m just another cog in the cancermachine. Granted, I have my moments whereI’m Charles and in charge, but this past weekhas shaken me to the core.

Not that I’m rethinking my approach tobeing a cancer patient/survivor; more that I’vegained newfound respect for my adversary.You know, all things considered, I’ve had anamazingly easy time of it since I was diag-nosed in late February, 2009, and perhaps I’vemisjudged/miscalculated/totally misinterpretedthat amazing good fortune, thinking thatsomehow I was immune to cancer’s insidiousnature. Well, if I wasn’t convinced before, I’mdefinitely convinced now. I don’t suppose can-cer schemes, but now I sort of feel like a pawnin a chess match and all I am is the timer.

But it is Spring Training (baseball) when allthings are possible and hope is eternal. Andthough I have admitted some of my deepestand darkest fears, nothing is inevitable. Myoriginal prognosis was “13 months to twoyears” SEVEN YEARS AGO, so I’m not easilyswayed. Presumably, in the future, there willbe blips on my health radar, but it’s nothing Ican’t handle. This recent experience actuallyconfirmed it. It made me rethink some of mysituational self-assessments and encouragedme in a way. I’m not exactly sure how or whybut strangely enough, I sort of feel strongerand more capable going forward. On thewhole, an excellent result.

EmploymentEmployment

Cook, Pakistani Food: HS Diploma, 4 yrs of exp in cooking

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22202.

VET RECEPTIONISTSmall animal hosp. Great Falls.

Will train. 703-757-7570 • www.ourvets.com

Educational InternshipsUnusual opportunity to learnmany aspects of the newspa-per business. Internshipsavailable in reporting, pho-tography, research, graphics.Opportunities for students,and for adults consideringchange of career. Unpaid.E-mail [email protected]

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The Vienna/Oakton ConnectionThe McLean ConnectionThe Great Falls Connection

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Zone 6 Ad Deadline:

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Zone 6: • Arlington • Great Falls

• McLean • Vienna/Oakton

Home & GardenHome & GardenCONTRACTORS.comconnectionnewspapers.com

Recessed LightingCeiling FansPhone/CATVComputer Network CablingService UpgradesHot Tubs, etc…

Office 703-335-0654Mobile 703-499-0522

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[email protected]

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POOL SERVICE POOL SERVICE

Quality Tree Service& Landscaping

Reasonable prices. Licensed & insured.

24 Hour EmergencyTree Service

25 years of experience – Free estimates 703-868-5358

Summer Cleanup...Tree removal, topping & pruning,shrubbery trimming, mulching,leaf removal, planting, hauling,gutter cleaning, retaining walls,

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The biggestthings arealways the

easiest to dobecause there isno competition.

-William Van Horne

For a free digital sub-scription to one or allof the 15 ConnectionNewspapers, go towww.connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe

Complete digital rep-lica of the print edition,including photos andads, delivered weeklyto your e-mail box.

Questions? E-mail:[email protected]

To have community events listed in the Connec-tion, send to [email protected]. Thedeadline for submissions is the Friday prior to pub-lication.

SATURDAY/MARCH 19Library Forum. 10-11:30 a.m. George Mason

Regional Library, 7001 Little River Turnpike,Annandale. Help plan the libraries’ future bysharing your input. fairfaxcounty.gov/library.703-324-8319.

TUESDAY/MARCH 22Virginia’s Offshore Energy. 7-8:30 p.m. Oakton

Library, 10304 Lynnhaven Place, Oakton. SierraClub/Great Falls Group will host a presentationabout the federal government’s plan to allowoffshore drilling off the coast of Virginia and theenergy alternative of offshore wind. Free. [email protected].

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 23Public Hearing on Programs. 7:30 p.m.

McLean Community Center, 1234 InglesideAve., McLean. Residents of the Center’s taxdistrict who attend the meeting can voice theiropinions on current Center offerings and makesuggestions for improving current programsand/or adding new initiatives.mcleancenter.org. 703-790-0124.

SUNDAY/APRIL 3Richmond Wrap-Up. 2-4 p.m. Virginia

International Conference Room, 4401 VillageDrive, Fairfax. Learn what your area legislatordid during the Virginia General Assembly. Hearfrom state legislators. Bring your questions. Jointhe discussion. For more information go to s-a-l-t.org/ or call 703-591-7042 ext. 352.

TUESDAY AND THURSDAY/APRIL 5, 7ESL Registration. 7-8 p.m. St. Mark Catholic

Church, Christian Formation Center, 9972 ValeRoad Vienna. $25 for classes, $10 forconversation. Cash only. Classes from April 12-June 9, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8-9:30p.m. 703-502-9433.

SATURDAY/APRIL 9Bereavement Volunteer Training. 9 a.m.-3

p.m. St. Mark Catholic Church, 9770 Vale Road,Vienna. Education regarding childhood grief,and prepares volunteers to take part in our campprograms. Comfort Zone Camp is a nonprofitorganization that provides free therapeutic griefprograms for young people ages 5-25 who haveexperienced the death of a parent, guardian, orsibling. [email protected].

TUESDAY/APRIL 12Library Forum. 7-8:30 p.m. Chantilly Regional

Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Helpplan the libraries’ future by sharing your input.fairfaxcounty.gov/library. 703-324-8319.

THURSDAY/APRIL 14Library Forum. 7:30-9 p.m. Kings Park Library,

9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke. Help plan thelibraries’ future by sharing your input.fairfaxcounty.gov/library. 703-324-8319.

FRIDAY/APRIL 29Annual Spring Event: Luncheon & Silent

Auction. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. International CountryClub, 13200 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway,Fairfax. Hosted by Assistance League ofNorthern Virginia to benefit its Operation SchoolBell programs. Event will feature a presentationon Identity Theft and Personal Safety. $65, $30is tax deductible. [email protected] or703-424-6652.www.northernvirginia.assistanceleague.org.

ONGOINGScholarship. Deadline April 1. The Bull Run Civil

War Round Table in Centreville is offering a$1,500 scholarship to a high school senior whoresides in Fairfax or Prince William counties andwill attend college or community college in fall2016. Information and application instructionscan be found at http://bullruncwrt.org.

Bulletin Board


www.GreatFallsGreatHomes.com

Jan & Dan LaythamDianne Van Volkenburg

Office: 703-757-3222Susan Canis

Associate Realtor9841 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA 22066 • 703-759-9190Sally Marvin

Associate Realtor

Great Falls $2,499,000

Great Falls $1,625,000Great Falls $2,549,000







Court Great Falls $1,250,000

Great Falls $675,000

Great Falls $1,275,000Great Falls $1,635,000

Great Falls $749,000


Great Falls Connection ❖ Adeler Jewelers/Great Falls Optimist Children's Spring Festival 2016 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

2 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ Adeler Jewelers/Great Falls Optimist Children's Spring Festival 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com


Great Falls“Egg Hunt” 2016

Welcome!!

WOW...32 years ago we invited the children of thecommunity to a small “EGG HUNT” to show ourgratitude to Great Falls for making us feel so

welcome when we decided to open our doors in the VillageCentre. Look where we are now!!! 31 amazing years laterand eventually with the wonderful partnership of the Opti-mist Club and the support of many many local businesses,friends and neighbors, this event has become a tradition ofthis community.

We feel honored and proud to be able to bring this to thefamilies of Great Falls and we hope that through this festi-val we are able to show our tremendous gratitude and ap-preciation for your continued support of our family andour business. We would not be here were it not for yourloyal patronage. Enjoy the day and Happy Hunting!

**Just as a reminder, 100% of the ticket sale proceeds are collectedby, and benefit the Great Falls Optimist Club Youth Fund and stay inGreat Falls too!

–Jorge Adeler

Visit the Great Falls Village Centre!The Great Falls Village Centre is located around the

lovely village green in the heart of Great Falls, Virginia. Wehave been part of Great Falls, Virginia throughout its exten-sive growth and development and have worked hand inhand with the residents of Great Falls to enhance and buildthe sense of community that is prevalent today. We offerboutique shopping, delicious restaurants and quality servicesright in the center of town.

There is always something fun going on at the VillageCentre, from weekend events like Cars & Coffee and theFarmers Market to Summer Concerts on the Green, 4th ofJuly Parade, annual Christmas Tree Lighting, HalloweenSpook-tacular, art exhibitions and more! Visit our Website:www.GreatFallsVillageCentre.com or just stop by and seewhy the Great Falls Village Centre is not only located in thecenter of town, but truly is the “heart” of the community.

Follow us on Facebookfor event announcements!Facebook.com/GreatFalls

VillageCentre

Adeler Jewelers...............................703-759-4076AdGen Telecom..............................703-757-6757Allstate Insurance/Doug White.........703-759-7700Aquarian LLC .................................. 703-438-8838Artists on the Green.........................703-609-3092Arts of Great Falls ............................703-232-1575Capital Realty Services ................... 703-759-4900Dent Asset Management.................703-286-7555Dr. C. Ayers ..................................... 703-757-6445Executive Suites at Great Falls .........703-865-2500First Line Financial, Inc. ...................703-757-7393Georgetown Learning Centers ........ 703-759-3624Great Falls Creamery. .....................703-272-7609Great Falls Cycle Studio..................703-585-5631Great Falls Family Dentistry..............703-759-4707H2O Pools ....................................... 703-250-5585Jinny Beyer Studio...........................703-759-0250Katie’s Coffee House.......................703-759-2759Lauren Liess Interiors........................571-926-7825Loebig Chiropractic........................703-757-5817New Paradigm Capital Mgmt..........703-757-4802Old Brogue Irish Pub........................703-759-3309Pilates Place, LLC............................703-405-3371Pio Pio Restaurant ........................... 703-865-7700Postmodern Foods...........................213-440-2257Robert Mobley, AIA Architect...........703-759-1927School of Theatrical Dance.............703-759-5652Spectrum Property Management .... 703-307-2965The Great Falls Salon.......................703-759-4758Village Centre Mgmt Office ............ 703-759-2485Village Retreat/Massage Therapy....703-638-4852Wells Fargo Bank.............................703-757-1040Wild Ginger Restaurant ................... 703-759-5040

Retail • Restaurant • Office Space • Available for Lease • 703-759-2485 • [email protected]

THE HEART OF THE GREAT FALLS COMMUNITY &PROUD LOCATION OF THE FOLLOWING EVENTS:

Easter Egg Hunt • 4th of July ParadeConcerts on the Green • Halloween Spooktackular

Celebration of Lights • Cars and CoffeeFarmers Market

WWW.GFVCCA.COM


President Message

The Optimist Creed❦ To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind;❦ To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet;❦ To make all your friends feel that there is something in them;❦ To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true;❦ To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best;❦ To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your

own;❦ To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of

the future;❦ To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you

meet a smile:❦ To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to

criticize others;❦ To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy

to permit the presence of trouble.

Promise Yourself:

NVAR Top Producer, CRS, GRI, CIPSAssociate Broker“The Thompson Team”

703-759-SOLD Office • 703-759-2964 Fax • 703-850-5676 Cell • 1-800-888-1786 x629 Toll-Free

Great Falls Main Level Lifestyle $1,170,000With, fully fenced backyard, trex deck-ing, flagstone terraces, and sited on alevel park like lot, this all brick homemeets the needs for today’s activefamily with a flexible floor plan, in-home office, 3 car garage, sports court,screened pavilion, and room for a pool.Freshly redone hardwood floors, gran-ite and stainless kitchen, great roomaddition and finished lower level showBIG VALUE!

Great Falls Timeless Contemporary $1,200,000Featuring well proportioned spaces,Open and Refreshing, this all brick 5bedroom home is sited on a knoll withgorgeous wooded views from everywindow. With all new appliances, 4Fireplaces, new HVAC, new driveway,new front porch, new garage door andmuch more, this home is for contem-porary mindsets only!

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Proudly Selling Great Falls for 32 yearsFor those who live here, you know:Top Schools, Low Density, Semi-rural feel, Small town atmosphere,Personal connection to Local shop owners, National and Local Parksright here, Little to no crime, Potomac River Access, Equestrian andWalking trails, Local festivals and celebrations, Focal art center andexhibitions, Easy Commute and Dual Airport access.

For those who don’t yet live here:Please call for an insider tour of our great little town.For those of you who are sadly leaving, Please call for a Consult!

Great Falls Optimist Club’s35th Anniversary

Great Falls Children’s Spring Festival32nd Anniversary

What a great time to reflect and bethankful to Jorge Adeler of Adeler’sJewelers, The business community,and the multigenerational families

that have continued to come and contribute to whathas become an annual tradition at this time of yearin our community.

Adeler Jewelers hides 500-800 gemstones in the8000 plastic eggs stuffed with candy in the excitingegg hunt at the end of the festival to the delight ofchildren and parents alike! All profits are contrib-uted to Great Falls Optimist Club Children’s Fund togive back to the community.

The Great Falls Optimist continues to sponsor pro-grams such as Scholarships for winners of Oratoricaland Essay contests among teens including deaf andhard of hearing, Respect for Law, Bicycle Safety, andChild identification programs.

The Helping Hands program recognizes youth whohave acted above and beyond in their schools andare given funds to be used as they please for theirschools.

We deliver Holiday and Week End Meals and holi-day gift cards to those families who are strugglingto make ends meet. We have paid for equipment thatallows home bound cancer students to remain au-dio/visually in touch with their peers at school. TheOptimist International has a huge Childhood Can-cer Research Initiative with John Hopkins.

We Invite You and Your Friends to Join Us in ourefforts to support the youth of today in an effort toinvest in a Better Tomorrow! Please contact GeorgeHersey, membership chair at 703-759-2251 for in-quiries into membership.

Call Wendy Adeler at 703 759 4076 to volunteerfor the Children’s Festival.


BirthstonesJanuary - Garnet

Garnet, the birthstone for January, signifies eternal friendship andtrust and is the perfect gift for a friend. Garnet, derived from the wordgranatum, means seed, and is called so because of the gemstone's re-semblance to a pomegranate seed. References to the gemstone datesback to 3100 B.C., when the Egyptians used garnets as inlays jewelry.Garnet is the name of a group of minerals that comes in a rainbow ofcolors, from the deep red of the pyrope garnet to the vibrant green oftsavorites.

February - AmethystAmethyst, the gemstone believed by ancient Greeks and Romans to

ward off the intoxicating powers of Bacchus, also is said to keep thewearer clear-headed and quick-witted. Throughout history, the gem-stone has been associated with many myths, legends, religions, andnumerous cultures. English regalia were even decorated with amethystsduring the Middle Ages to symbolize royalty. It has been associated withmany myths, legends, religions, and numerous cultures. Amethyst ispurple quartz, a beautiful blend of violet and red that can found in ev-ery corner of the earth. Historically, the finest amethyst were found inRussia and were featured in much royal European jewelry.

March - AquamarineThe two birthstones for March are aquamarine and bloodstone.The name aquamarine is derived from the Latin word aqua, mean-

ing water, and marina, meaning the sea. This gemstone was believedto protect sailors, as well as to guarantee a safe voyage. The serene colorof aquamarine is said to cool the temper, allowing the wearer to remaincalm and levelheaded. Its pale, cool color beautifully complementsspring and summer wardrobes. Aquamarine is most often light in toneand ranges from greenish blue to blue-green; the color usually is moreintense in larger stones.

The second birthstone for March is bloodstone, a dark-green jasperflecked with vivid red spots of iron oxide. This ancient stone was usedby the Babylonians to make seals and amulets and was believed to havehealing powers - especially for blood disorders. It is sometimes calledthe martyr's stone as legend tells that it was created when drops ofChrist's blood stained some jasper at the foot of the cross.

April - DiamondAs the April birthstone, diamonds are the ideal gift for a loved one.

And now you have more choices than ever. Get creative and give theultimate gift of beauty: a fancy-color diamond. Fancy-color diamondsare natural, rare and truly exotic gem of the earth. Diamonds in huesof yellow, red, pink, blue, and green range in intensity from faint to vivid See Bithstones, Page 8

and generally the more saturated the color, the higher the value. In fact,diamonds sparkling with intense color are rare and may be priced higherthan a colorless diamond of equal size. Because fancy-color diamondsare very desirable, color is sometimes introduced in a laboratory.May - Emerald

As the birthstone for May, the emerald, a symbol of rebirth, is believedto grant the owner foresight, good fortune, and youth. Emerald, derivedfrom the word smaragdus, meaning green in Greek, was mined in Egyptas early as 330 B.C. Today, most of the world's emeralds are mined inColombia, Brazil, Afghanistan, and Zambia.

June - Pearl and AlexandriteJune counts three gems as birthstones, pearl, Alexandrite, and moon-

stone.Historically, pearls have been used as an adornment for centuries.

They were one of the favorite gem materials of the Roman Empire; laterin Tudor England, the 1500s were known as the pearl age. Pearls areunique as they are the only gems from living sea creatures and requireno faceting or polishing to reveal their natural beauty.

AlexandriteA relatively modern gem, Alexandrite, was first discovered in Russia

in 1831 during the reign of its namesake, Czar Alexander II, and is anextremely rare chrysoberyl with chameleon-like qualities. Its color is alovely green in both daylight and fluorescent light; it changes color toa purplish red in incandescent light.

MoonstoneThe third birthstone for June is the Moonstone. It was given its name

by the Roman natural historian Pliny, who wrote that moonstone's ap-pearance altered with the phases of the moon - a belief that held untilwell after the sixteenth century. A phenomenal gemstone, moonstonesshow a floating play of light (called adularescence) and sometimes showeither a multirayed star or a cat's eye. Considered a sacred stone in In-dia, moonstones often are displayed on a background of yellow (a sacredcolor) and are believed to encapsulate within the stone a spirit whosepurpose is to bring good fortune. Part of the family of minerals calledfeldspar, moonstone occurs in many igneous and metamorphic rocks andcomes in a variety of colors such as green, blue, peach, and champagne.

July - RubyThere's no better way to demonstrate your love than by giving a ruby

in celebration of a July birthday. Rubies arouse the senses, stir the imagi-

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6 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ Adeler Jewelers/Great Falls Optimist Children's Spring Festival 2016 Great Falls Connection ❖ Adeler Jewelers/Great Falls Optimist Children's Spring Festival 2016 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Important Information*** PLEASE NOTE: Candy in the Egg Hunt may contain nuts! We doour best to avoid this, but we cannot guarantee it because even nut-freecandy MAY HAVE BEEN MADE on machines that previously processed candythat did contain nuts.

scheduling requirements for the Village Centre and volunteer staff, we are unableto provide a rain date for the egg hunt. Please call 703-759-4076 after 9:00 am onMarch 29th to verify the status of the event if you are concerned about cancellationdue to inclement weather.

The egg hunt includes over $8000 worth of gemstonesdonated by Adeler Jewelers, mixed with candy and stuffedinto 8,000 plastic eggs that will be scattered around theVillage Centre for children ages 1-10 to find.All Rides at own risk.

If you would like to know whatyour "gem" is, please go to

www.AdelerJewelers.comand follow the linkunder Learn More.

jobs, including staffing an entrance, helping with set up and clean up the dayof the hunt, and other activities. If you are interested in helping with this fun,family-friendly event, please contact us at 703-759-4076 [email protected]. This is a terrific opportunity for Scout troops andstudents looking for community service opportunities!NO RAIN DATE: Due to the size of this ever-popular event, and to VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We can always use more volunteers to help with a range of

TICKETSTickets go on sale at 12:30Games and rides are from 1:30-4The egg hunt from 4:00-4:30

Thank You toOur Sponsors

• Jan & Dan Laytham• Village Green Day School• Loebig Chiropractic• Astro Events• Bob Nelson Realtor• Linda Thompson Realtor• Dr. Donna Greco, Dentist• The Old Brogue• S.A.B. Lawn and Landscapes• Washington First Bank• Megawatts• Deli Italiano• Pat Nugent & Sons• Elan Magazine• Great Falls Eye Care• Stan Corey, CFP®, CPWA®

• Mina's Sci-Math Elementary School• Great Falls Creamery• Village Centre Condominium Assoc.• Great Falls Exxon• Great Falls Construction• Costa Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

$10 per childAges 1-10 and

Parents are freeDonations welcome...

Go on sale at: 12:30

EntranceToddlersNo Parents

1-2on greenwith rides

32th Annual Egg Hunt brought to you by Adeler Jewelersand the Great Falls Optimist Club at the Village Centre

32th Annual Egg Hunt brought to you by Adeler Jewelersand the Great Falls Optimist Club at the Village Centre


BirthstonesFrom Page 5

nation, and are said to guarantee health, wis-dom, wealth and success in love. Ruby is avariety of the gems species corundum. It isharder than any natural gemstone except dia-mond, which means a ruby is durable enoughfor everyday wear. Fine-quality ruby is ex-tremely rare, and the color of the gem is mostimportant to its value.

August - PeridotTwo birthstones are available for August

birthdays: Peridot and Sardonyx.Peridot is said to host magical powers and

healing properties to protect against night-mares and to bring the wearer power,influence, and a wonderful year. As peridot isa gemstone that forms deep inside the Earthand brought to the surface by volcanoes, inHawaii, peridot symbolizes the tears of Pele,the goddess of fire and volcanoes. Today, mostof the peridot supply comes from Arizona;other sources are China, Myanmar, and Paki-stan.

SardonyxSardonyx is a form of onyx and is recog-

nized by its layers of reddish brown and whitebanding. It was popular with the ancientGreeks and Romans who carried into battletalismans of sardonyx engraved with images ofheroes such as Mars or Hercules, believing thatthis would bring courage and victory. Becauseof its attractive banding, sardonyx has longbeen used to fashion cameos (carved raisedfigures) and intaglios (the reverse of cameos).This gemstone is found throughout the world.

September - SapphireSapphire, the September birthstone, has

been popular since the Middle Ages and, ac-

See Bithstones, Page 10

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Join us Monday, April 11th at ourMilitary Appreciation Monday (MAM)event at The Old Brogue in Great Falls.We will be hosting: Our Military Kids

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Annual event occurs Sun-day March 20, at VillageCentre in Great Falls.

❖Although the weather mightbe a little too chilly to tell, theGreat Falls Optimist Club andAdeler Jewelers are ready for theannual Children’s Festival to takeover the Village Centre Sunday,March 20 — a sure sign of springin the community.

❖“We’ll have an Easter egg huntfor the children, filled with candyand gems.

❖The Children’s Festival is thebiggest fund-raiser for the Opti-mist Club, with proceeds going tohelp children in Fairfax County.

❖“We provide Thanksgiving andChristmas meals to needy familiesand also try to meet their Christ-mas gift wish list,” she said.

❖In addition, some of the fami-lies have children in need of spe-cial-education classes for emo-tional disabilities, she said, and inthe past some of the money hasgone toward purchasing specialequipment for classrooms.

❖“We’ve purchased computers,word processors, LCD projectors,anything to help the teachers andmake it easier for the students,”she said.

❖THIS YEAR, there will be ad-ditional donation containersplaced throughout the festivalarea, where donations for the In-ternational Optimist Club’s currentproject, funding cancer researchfor children.

❖“The International Optimistsare trying to raise $1 million forcancer research at Johns Hopkins,”said Linda Thompson, president ofthe Great Falls Optimist Club.“This is our flagship program thisyear.”

❖The money from admissiontickets and other donations will

Your invitation tobring children/grand children to:

The Great FallsOptimist Club and

Adeler Jewelerspresent:

The GrandOpening of

Spring with the32th AnnualChildrensFestival,

March 20th.

See Grand Opening, Page 11


BirthstonesFrom Page8

cording to folklore, will protect your loved onesfrom envy and harm. Medieval clergy woresapphires to symbolize heaven, while common-ers thought the gem attracted heavenlyblessings. Blue sapphires range from very lightto very dark greenish or violetish blue, as wellas various shades of pure blue. The most prizedcolors are a medium to medium dark blue orslightly violetish blue.

October - Tourmalineand Opal

October is another month with two birth-stone choices - Tourmaline and Opal.

Tourmaline has become a favorite gemstoneamong jewelry designer, and gem collectorsthe world over. Since it is available in a widevariety of colors, it is ideally suited to almostanyone's taste.

Tourmaline also is known for displayingseveral colors in the same gemstone. These bi-color or tri-color gems are formed in manycombinations; gemstones with clear color dis-tinctions are highly prized. One multi-colorvariety is known as watermelon tourmaline,and features green, pink, and white colorsbands; to resemble its namesake, the gemstoneis cut into thin slices having a pink center,white ring, and green edge.

The name opal derives from the GreekOpallos, meaning "to see a change (of color)."Opals range in color from milky white to blackwith flashes of yellow, orange, green, red, andblue. An opal's beauty is the product of contrastbetween its color play and its background. Opalis a formation of non-crystalline silica gel thatseeped into crevices in the sedimentary strata.Through time and nature's heating and mold-ing processes, the gel hardened into the formof opals.

November - Topaz and CitrineTwo gems are appropriate for November

birthdays - Topaz and Citrine.Topaz is a gemstone available in a rich rain-

bow of colors. Prized for several thousandyears in antiquity, all yellow gems in antiquitywere called topaz. Often confused with citrinequartz (yellow) and smoky quartz (brown),quartz and topaz are separate and unrelatedmineral species. The most prized color of topazis called Imperial topaz after the Russian Czarsof the 1800s and features a magnificent orangebody color with pinkish undertones.

Citrine, the other birthstone for Novemberis known as the "healing quartz". This goldengemstone is said to support vitality and healthwhile encouraging and guiding hope, energyand warmth within the wearer. Citrine can befound in a variety of shades ranging from pas-tel yellow to dark brownish orange. It is one ofthe most affordable of gemstones and plenti-ful in nature.

December - Tanzanite,Zircon, and Turquoise

The three birthstones associated with De-cember are Tanzanite, Zircon, and Turquoise.

Discovered in the late 1960s in Tanzania,and found exclusively in this tiny area of theworld, tanzanite exhibits a rich violet-bluecolor for which the gemstone is treasured; of-ten it is heat-treated to achieve this color.Colors range from blue to purple, and tanzan-ites that are medium dark in tone, vivid insaturation, and slightly violet blue commandpremium prices.

Derived from the Arabic words zar and gun,meaning gold and color, zircon is found in awide range of colors such as: blue, yellow, or-ange, brown, green, colorless, and red (themost prized color). For many years colorlesszircon was used to imitate diamonds. Folk wis-dom grants zircon the power to relieve pain,whet the appetite, protect travelers from dis-ease and injury, to ensure a warm welcome,and to prevent nightmares guaranteeing adeep, tranquil sleep.

The name turquoise, from the French ex-pression Pierre tourques or Turkish stone,originated in the thirteenth century and de-scribes one of the oldest known gemstones.Turquoise varies in color from greenish blue,through robin's egg-blue, to sky blue shadesand its transparency ranges from translucent toopaque.

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Through The Years

The Grand Opening of Spring with the32th Annual Childrens Festival, March 20th.From Pag 9

remain in Great Falls, he said, tohelp needy children. “Sometimeswe’ll have a scholarship or helppurchase band instruments,” shesaid.

❖A veteran of several Children’sFestivals, Linda said her favoritepart of the day is “seeing the smileson the faces of the children. It’sabsolutely beautiful.

Plus, this is an occasion whereparents attend with their children,they don’t just send them alongalone,” he said.

❖Linda thanks the many volun-teers from Great Falls who comeout every year to help with the fes-tivities. “They’re the ones whomake it a success. Everyone thor-oughly enjoys it,” he said.

❖The Festival began as a way forAdeler Jewelers to thank the com-munity for its support, said Wendy

Adeler Hall, whose father beganthe celebration over 30 years ago.

❖“He’s very community-mindedand always wanted to do some-thing like this,” she said.

❖During the course of the day,there will be an ongoing egg huntfor children under the 3, she said,with older children having a dif-ferent area to hunt in to allow fora more equitable outing.

❖“WE HAVE AN age limit andtwo separate areas so that shy chil-dren can have a fair chance,” shesaid. “Three- and 4- year-olds canhave one parent with them in theegg hunt area, but ages 5 through10 are on their own.”

❖The eggs all contain candy, butsome of the 6,000 to 8,000 eggswill contain gems, donated byAdeler’s Jewelers.

❖“We usually hide about $5,000of gems mixed in,” Adeler said.

“Typically, the gems include am-ethyst, garnet, peridot, blue topaz,citrine, some rubies and emeralds,all the typical birthstones,” shesaid.

❖In addition, local vendors havesponsored rides, like a moonbounce, a mini Ferris wheel and atilt-a-whirl for the children to en-joy, she said.

❖“The $10.00 per child admis-sion gives each child a braceletthat’s good for unlimited rides,”she said. “We don’t charge the par-ents admission, but they’re free tomake donations.”

❖The event will take place rainor shine, Adeler said, and parentscan call 703-759-4076 starting at9 a.m. that day if the weather isbad to find out when the event willstart. Tickets will be available be-ginning at 11 a.m. in the VillageCentre.

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